From the deaths of Robin Williams and Joan Rivers to the viral email from a 9/11 survivor, you turned to Facebook to get news updates from NBC New York.

The most popular posts also included more lighthearted moments, such as the Rockefeller tree-lighting ceremony and how Derek Jeter stayed away from scandal during his career.

These are the Facebook posts you read, shared, and liked the most in 2014.

1. Rihanna Donates $25,000 to LAPD After Selfie Fail During Clippers Game: This post about how Rihanna accidentally dropped and cracked the LAPD Commissioner's phone and how she made up for it was our most clicked Facebook post of all time.

2. Beloved Comic, Actor Robin Williams Dead at 63: More than 46,000 people clicked on this post about beloved comic Robin Williams' death.

10. Derek Jeter on His Spotless Image: "I Never Wanted to Embarrass My Parents": Derek Jeter managed to stay scandal-free for most of his career. His reasons why led to one of our most-clicked posts of the year.

Photo Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 07:04:37 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/gift-guide-promo2.jpgThis story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2014 09:15:31 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/Cake-Boss-NY-Covrette-Inset.jpg

From the explosion of a building in East Harlem to the death of Eric Garner and the protests that followed, you turned to Twitter to get news updates from NBC New York.

The most popular tweets also included more lighthearted moments, such as a bear cub getting stuck in a cookie jar and a highway sign that warned of Godzilla.

These are the tweets you read and retweeted the most in 2014.

1. TLC's "Cake Boss" Arrested on DWI Charges in Manhattan: NYPD: This tweet about the Cake Boss getting arrested was retweeted more than 14,000 times, setting the record for the most retweeted post from @nbcnewyork this year.

2. Medical Examiner Rules Eric Garner's Death a Homicide, Says He Was Killed By Chokehold: More than 1,000 people shared this tweet about Eric Garner's death with their own Twitter followers.

3. NYC Explosion Death Toll at 8, With 3 Still Missing in the Smoldering Rubble: Many people retweeted the breaking news of a building explosion in East Harlem in March.

4. Port Authority Workers Move Into Four World Trade Center, Become First Office Workers in Complex Since 9/11 Attacks: The return of workers to the World Trade Center was popular for retweets and favorites.

5. Body Parts Found in East River Matched to Missing Teen Avonte Oquendo:The identification of the remains of Avonte Oquendo, an autistic teen who ran out of his school, was retweeted and read by many.

6. Jason Collins Cheered in Home Debut As Nets Rout Bulls: Jason Collins made history as the first openly gay NBA player. His reception at Barclay Center was among our most-clicked tweets of the year.

7. Tracy Morgan Remains in Critical Condition After Crash: Many Twitter readers were interested to learn about a crash that critically injured Tracy Morgan.

10. Bear Cub Rescued After Head Gets Stuck in Cookie Jar: Sometimes life imitates Pooh Bear. This was one of our most retweeted post of the year.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:40:23 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/NC_pcmike1223_700x394.jpgNBC News tech guru PC Mike Wendland rounds up his favorite apps of 2014.]]>Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:15:17 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/180*120/2014-year-photos-promo.jpg

More from 2014 and looking ahead to 2015:

Photo Credit: Getty Images This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2014 11:21:17 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/453920462.jpg

Google has released its 2014 list of its most common search requests. Many popular searches weren't surprising, like The World Cup, Robin Williams, and Disney's “Frozen.”

However, the search engine also revealed other searches that were also, somehow, popular this past year. People of the web turned to Google for odd info about dogs, beauty, diets, memes, fashion and famous selfies.

Photo Credit: Getty Images This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Sat, 27 Dec 2014 12:28:35 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/vlcsnap-000058.jpg

A Kaufman County, Texas, family had their gifts stolen from their porch just two days before Christmas, but the alleged front porch bandit later had a change of heart.

The Carsons were at the supermarket Tuesday when Jordan Carson got a text message notifying him his packages had arrived to his Forney home. The packages were gifts for his 3-year-old daughter.

"He actually handed them to my wife and he apologized," said Carson. "It actually happened to one other neighbor and they got theirs back, too."

In the same neighborhood, you can see a cartoon depiction of the Grinch on a front lawn, and now the Carsons felt like they dealt with a real-life Grinch, who had a change of heart just in time for Christmas.

The neighbor with whom the alleged thief was staying has since kicked the man out of their home and neighborhood.

Celebrities took to Twitter and Instagram to share holiday photos showing them with their loved ones, pals, pets and gifts under the Christmas tree. Check out some of what they shared below:

Photo Credit: Getty Images This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Fri, 26 Dec 2014 15:18:27 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/191*120/SEPTA+El+Train+Market+Frankford+Subway+Baby+Born.JPG

The Christmas spirit was alive and well this year from coast to coast, with a stranger paying off the layaway accounts of struggling families and police and firefighters stepping in with replacement gifts after a fire and burglary. Here are some of the holiday season's most heartwarming stories.

Firefighters and police officers in West Covina, California, played Santa Claus to restore a family's holiday spirit by replacing gifts that were inside their car when it was stolen on Christmas Eve.

A 12-year-old Texas boy who has been suffering from cancer since the age of three only wanted cards for Christmas. He's gotten that ten times over. So far he has received more than 7,000 cards from all over the world.

Photo Credit: NBC 5 News]]>Thu, 25 Dec 2014 21:30:32 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/gingras+churches.jpgChristmas mass took a different, more somber tone at many parishes in New York City slated to close next year. Brynn Gingras reports.]]>Thu, 25 Dec 2014 21:29:51 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/creag+city+meals+christmas.jpgVolunteers for city-meals doubled as Santa's helpers to deliver warm meals to people who otherwise would be alone on Christmas. Katherine Creag reports.]]>Thu, 25 Dec 2014 21:27:59 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/vigliotti+christmas+in+nyc.jpgIt wasn't a white Christmas but tourists and residents were still in the holiday spirit. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.]]>Wed, 24 Dec 2014 08:56:20 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/214*120/Toys+R+Us.jpg

In the mad dash to finish Christmas shopping, you'll have more time to buy toys for the kids as Toys "R" Us will remain open for 39 continuous hours at every store nationwide.

The toy store opened at 6 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 9 p.m. Christmas Eve, extending its hours in the final stretch of holiday shopping.

NBC 4 New York's I-Team led the way with exclusive, critical reporting in 2014 on issues ranging from abuse of power and chemical danger zones to health care, hacking, hidden natural gas leaks and how cash-strapped publicly funded places are spending taxpayer dollars.

Hundreds of bridges in the tri-state area are “structurally deficient” and need repair, an I-Team review of inspection records has found. Those records show that structural conditions at numerous bridges in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are deteriorating fast. Engineering experts say none of the spans is on the verge of collapse, but warn some bridges need work to help avoid the kind of disaster that struck in Minneapolis seven years ago when the collapse of the Interstate 35 West bridge killed 13 people. Jonathan Dienst reports.

Urgent care centers, where speedy service is promised and walk-ins are welcome, are becoming an increasingly popular recourse for sick or hurt people across the tri-state area looking for quick remedies to everyday health concerns. But are industry standards keeping up with the industry boom? Pei-Sze Cheng reports.

Wireless surveillance cameras, webcams and baby monitors allow users to stream video on the web anytime from anywhere so they can always keep tabs on their valuables. Their blinking lights signal security, but NBC 4 New York's I-Team has found thousands of seemingly secure feeds -- on everything from cribs to a pet’s litter box -- are making their way online for all to see. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

Many Communities in Chemical-Risk Zones Are Unaware of the Dangers (originally aired 11/25/14)

When a poisonous gas leak killed four workers near Houston, Texas, earlier this month, Amy Rafano felt worried. The New Jersey PTA mom lives near several chemical plants, and sends her son to school nearby – including the Ashland plant in Parlin which houses 1.2 million pounds of the flammable chemical ethylene oxide. Pei-Sze Cheng reports.

When Michelle Fusaro was choosing a camp for her 4-year-old daughter, she assumed that the staff had been screened for criminal records. So she was shocked when she learned that many camps in New Jersey, where she lives, were cited last year for failing to do background checks -- and that many camps in the tri-state area are not required to do them at all. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

Cash-Strapped School District Spends Thousands on Takeout (originally aired 7/8/14)

"I know the feeling of gratefulness when you get the phone call saying, 'somebody paid off your layaway,'" said Christine Roberts, who was on the receiving end of a similar gesture last year.

"It's a really, really nice thing that was done, so a big thank you, very much," Burlingame said.

Toys "R" Us told NECN the act was an incredible display of what the season is all about.

The identity of the "layaway angel" remains a mystery.

Photo Credit: NECN]]>Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:09:42 -0500handrail BBQ to someone itching to host a city-style barbecue.
]]>handrail BBQ to someone itching to host a city-style barbecue.
]]>http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/balconybbq.pngFrom a sriracha key chain to an on-the-go barware set, this gallery has the perfect gifts for all food lovers. ]]>Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:00:12 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/haunted+christmas+house.jpgChristmas is a special time for many families, especially those with children. It's a time of innocence, when kids can let their imaginations run wild, immersing themselves in the magical journey of Santa Claus. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.]]>Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:10:10 -0500Cookies and Starbucks Coffee Gift Box for just $29.99? The gift box will include all-natural homemade individually wrapped chocolate chunk, white chocolate macadamia, double chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisin cookies, with Starbucks house blend regular coffee, and fair trade café estima blend. The “That’s Caring” gift box will supply a weekend food bag, which is given to a child living in a food-insecure environment. Check out more “That’s Caring” gifts you can give to your employees, clients, and your boss here . ]]>Cookies and Starbucks Coffee Gift Box for just $29.99? The gift box will include all-natural homemade individually wrapped chocolate chunk, white chocolate macadamia, double chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisin cookies, with Starbucks house blend regular coffee, and fair trade café estima blend. The “That’s Caring” gift box will supply a weekend food bag, which is given to a child living in a food-insecure environment. Check out more “That’s Caring” gifts you can give to your employees, clients, and your boss here . ]]>http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/Starbucks10.jpgA better feeling than getting presents during the holidays is the feeling of giving back. This season shop for gifts that not only will make your friends and family happy, but will also help someone in need.

Photo Credit: thatscaring.com]]>Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:11:07 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/NC_santasoldiersurprise1210_700x394.jpgWhen a 3-year-old girl asked Santa to bring her daddy home from Afghanistan for Christmas, he delivered. Elizabeth Matthews reports.]]>Fri, 12 Dec 2014 02:42:41 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/01-santafailthumb.jpgIt's Christmastime and it's that time of year when you head out with the family and get those beloved pics of the kids with Santa. Except the photos don't always turn out as you hoped.]]>Tue, 09 Dec 2014 10:50:58 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/Note.jpg

An anonymous woman celebrated her late husband's memory by dropping her diamond engagement ring and wedding band into a Red Kettle outside Boston's North Station.

The donation, made on Dec. 3, was accompanied by a note saying the woman wanted to commemorate her husband's "joy in giving at Christmastime, especially to those in need" by donating the ring to help fund toys for needy children.

"In all seasons, my husband was a giver. I especially remember his joy in giving at Christmastime, especially to those in need. To honor his memory, I donate this ring," the note read. "I'm hoping there's someone out there who made lots of money this year and will buy the ring for ten times its worth. After all, there's no price on love or the sentimental value of this ring."

An appraisal, included with the donation, values the diamond ring at $1,850.

"We're so moved and incredibly grateful to the generous individual who made such a loving and kind donation," says Major David B. Davis, divisional commander of the Massachusetts Salvation Army. "This heartwarming gift boosts all of our staff, bell-ringers, and volunteers who are working tirelessly during the Red Kettle Campaign to encourage donations that help those in need."

Salvation Army's Drew Forster says he hasn't seen anything such as this before.

"Jewelry comes into our kettles from time to time, but it's generally by accident," he said. "Someone will drop a ring or an earring that they might happen to have in their purse."

Bell ringer Robert Barr, who is working with the Salvation Army as part of his court-ordered community service, said the donor was a small woman, probably in her 50s, who stopped for just a moment to talk.

"I remember the lady because she said she has two checks available and they were in envelopes and she put them in the kettle," he said.

Those giving what they could on Monday were amazed by one woman's charitable sense of purpose.

"What a nice thing to do to honor his memory. The goal of giving and sacrificing her jewelry to his memory," donor Patty Cyr said.

Prior to this year's primetime telecast, an additional live hour of the special (7-8 p.m. ET) will be broadcast by select NBC stations. Check local listings.

Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht/NBC This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:47:52 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/AP304775363894.jpgThe star-studded Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting ceremony lit up the heart of Manhattan Wednesday as tens of thousands attended the annual event while millions tuned in from home.

Steven Spielberg's underrated 1991 fantasy film "Hook" lifted the Peter Pan story to new heights, starting with the revisionist title. Sure, we're fascinated by flying boys who won't grow up – but seafaring villains with development issues of their own wield an even sharper lure.

That's why the inspired casting of Christopher Walken as Captain Hook in NBC's "Peter Pan Live!" Thursday (December 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT) offers a draw well beyond the ambitious airing of a Broadway-level high-wire act without a net, from a pirate ship or otherwise. Walken arrives with the promise of chewing up the scenery with the voraciousness of the crocodile than chomped off Hook's left hand. You should never smile at a crocodile, but it’s okay to laugh at Christopher Walken.

Walken, at first glance, doesn’t scream out as a song and dance man. But as he’s shown on “Saturday Night Live,” he can carry a tune and pull off a credible soft shoe, most memorably performing “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” a couple decades back. The star of “The Deerhunter” also emerged as an unlikely TV comedian with his cries for “more cowbell.” His live stints, even in the name of humor, land with an air of, if not danger, then a portent of the odd and unexpected.

The Walken of “SNL” appears made for Neverland. Judging from his Hook get-up, the 71-year-old actor wouldn’t be out of place with Johnny Depp and Keith Richards at a Sparrow family reunion, whether in the Caribbean or on a Hollywood lot. But unlike the movies, there are no second takes when mounting a live TV musical.

That’s a challenge for the whole “Peter Pan Live!” cast, especially Allison Williams, who is setting out to prove she’s more than the one-note wannabe singer Marnie on "Girls." Her performance as the airborne title character will be measured against Mary Martin’s legendary 1960 TV turn in the role. Williams’ bigger test, though, might be standing out amid Walken and other more seasoned cast mates.

Big-stage musical neophyte Carrie Underwood found that out last year in NBC’s “The Sound of Music Live!” when working hard to hold her own against veteran Broadway talent like Christian Borle and Laura Benanti. Borle, who played proto-Hook Black Stache on stage in “Peter and the Starcatcher,” is back Thursday as Hook’s left-hand man, Smee.

Peter Pan might have top billing, but it’s Hook’s show for the grabbing – a sign of a classic that’s as only as good as its villain is bad. Check out a preview as Williams, Walken and the “Peter Pan Live!” creative team prepare to take flight.

Photo Credit: Patrick Randak/NBC This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:13:18 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/30-Rock-Christmas-Tree-2012.jpg

Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>Thu, 25 Dec 2014 07:36:53 -0500http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/213*120/sb10069274b-004.jpg

No need to trek to the North Pole to find Santa Claus today. A quick trip online will let you track Saint Nick and his sleigh as he makes his annual journey across the globe to deliver presents.

The Santa tracker website and mobile app launched by The North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, is up and running again this year. It went live early Wednesday.

Santa, Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer were spotted over Sydney, Australia, Wednesday morning and by shortly before 11 a.m. Eastern Time, had traversed the continent and were heading up Southeast Asia.

Just before 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Santa was on his way to Minsk, Belarus, and had delivered more than 2.5 million gifts, according to NORAD. By 5:20 p.m., he was over Germany and had given out more than 3 million presents.

At 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Santa had made his way to Reykjavik, Iceland. St. Nick had delivered over 4 million presents.

Santa was zigzagging back and forth between the U.S. and Canada at 11 PM ET. He had delivered over 5 million presents.

Alaska was the first U.S. state that Santa hit around 4 AM ET. He then made his way to Hawaii where the first family is vacationing, having already delivered over 7 million gifts.

He wrapped up with a final stop in Midway Atoll before heading home to the North Pole.

According to NORAD, Santa usually starts his journey at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west.

Historically, he visits the South Pacific first, next New Zealand and Australia, then to Asia, across to Africa and on to Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America.

“Keep in mind, Santa’s route can be affected by weather, so it’s really unpredictable,” NORAD writes. “NORAD coordinates with Santa’s Elf Launch Staff to confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Santa calls the shots. We just track him!”

The latest version of the NORAD Tracks Santa effort, which has been around since 1958, features new games and daily activities, including the opportunity to help name a new elf in the North Pole Village.

Santa and his sleigh will have a hard time staying under the radar thanks to the site, which is accessible in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese.

In addition to watching Santa's progress on the tracker, users can find out Santa's current location by dialing 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by emailing noradtrackssanta@outlook.com.

Photo Credit: Getty Images This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story on our mobile site.]]>